The following can be attributed to Susan Goering, Executive Director of the ACLU of Maryland:
"A mistrial was declared today in the case of Baltimore Police Officer William Porter, who is charged in the April death of Freddie Gray; a hearing on a new trial date is scheduled for tomorrow.
While we wait for individual accountability in the criminal cases, the larger system of police accountability in Maryland should itself be on trial. Some of the testimony in Officer Porter's case raises fundamental questions about the management of the Baltimore Police Department, which must be addressed regardless of the outcome of these cases.
All of Baltimore should be outraged by the death of Freddie Gray, one of too many Black Americans who have died at the hands of police. All it would have taken was the humane act of seat belting Gray, according to police protocol, and he would be alive today. Too many Black lives have been lost to police misconduct. Maryland needs police accountability reform now."
Learn more about the ACLU of Maryland's concerns at our blog.
